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Storm extends season to round 2

Jordan Staples (left) and Luke Schwarz received honorable mentions from the Southwest Conference. Tanner Picht (right) and Kelly Engquist were named to the all-conference team. Picht was also named to the Section 6AA all-tournament second team, while Staples and Schwarz received honorable mentions.

Morris Benson Area extended the 2011-12 boys' hockey season an extra game with a win over Prairie Centre in the first round of the Section 6AA tournament. The Storm's season ended with a loss to Little Falls, the eventual state tournament qualifier, in the quarterfinals.

The Storm finished 11-14-1 overall and were 5-4-1 in the Southwest Conference. In Section 6AA the Storm were 4-6.

Coach Jim Kennedy said the team improved consistently.

"Our main goal was to get better throughout the year," he said.

For the first time, the Storm also filled a junior varsity team. "That was a big step for us," said Kennedy.

Tanner Picht and Kelly Engquist reached 100 career points this season with 114 and 103, respectivley. Picht led the Storm with 44 points this season, while Engquist had 40. Luke Schwarz was third on offense with 39 points.

The Storm will lose five players to graduation, goalies Matt Huot and Paden Strutz along with Schwarz, Engquist, and Tanner Kirkeide. However, eight of the top 10 scorers will return.